It’s the end of an era for sushi fans in downtown Denver: Sonoda’s Sushi, which has enjoyed nearly a 19-year run at 1620 Market St., closes its doors on Saturday Feb. 15.

The closing is a combination of being unable to work out a desirable lease, plus the fact that he’s been in the restaurant business for more than 40 years, said owner Kenny Sonoda.

“When you turn 65 you start thinking about retirement,” Sonoda told the Post. “Maybe my time has come. It’s hard to say. My mom passed away three years ago. Maybe she’s saying something to me from the sky.”

Sonoda, who grew up in Japan, came to Denver in 1973 to help build and open the Gasho of Denver, a Japanese hibachi-style steak house at 1627 Curtis St. Three years later Sonoda built a free-standing replica of a 400-year-old Gasho farm house modeled after one in Japan’s Takayama City, sister city to Denver. It sat in the Denver Tech Center near Belleview and Interstate 25, where Shanahan’s Steakhouse now stands.

He opened his first Sonoda’s Sushi in Aurora in 1988, making one of the pioneers in introducing sushi and sashimi to Denver before opening his LoDo location in 1995. That’s a lot of toro, unagi and crab rolls.

A few days ago, Sonoda posted a goodbye letter on his restaurant’s home page. “I have been fortunate to meet and get to know entire families,” it read in part. “I have watched their children grow and have children of their own, but it is now time for me to retire and enjoy the next chapter of my life. I will miss all of you.

The Aurora location Sonoda’s Sushi seafood at 3108 S. Parker Road will stay open. Sonoda has handed it off to his longtime friend and chef Makoto Kawafune.

Sonoda is unsure of his plans, but feels confident about one thing. “Things are going to work out,” he said.